Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport, Scott Buchholz was on the road again this morning, this time meeting with mayors from the Central Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (CQROC) and visiting the CQ Inland port at Emerald, as part of the Government’s 10-year, $110 billion nation-wide Infrastructure Investment Program.
“As Assistant Minister, I appreciate the opportunity to get out and connect with regional communities, with local mayors and the industries critical to our economy. We need every part of Queensland, every industry firing, for our economic recovery and the Morrison Government is investing to make that happen here in Central Queensland,” said Buchholz.
He added that the meeting with CQROC was a productive meeting of councils and industry from Gladstone in the East, through to Central Highlands in the West, and everywhere in between.
“These local representatives are here on the ground, they know their people and industries firsthand, they hear their experiences and they drive the same roads that carry the cattle and move the resources.
“It was clear from the attendees here today and discussions on Thursday that they are delighted with the Morrison Government’s extensive investment in Central Queensland road transport. Through programs such as the Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI), Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program and Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.”
The Australian Government’s $1 billion commitment towards the ROSI Initiative in Queensland was a hot topic of discussion, following Buchholz’s successful second round of consultations recently undertaken with local mayors in Townsville.
Federal Member for Flynn, Ken O’Dowd said Central Queensland freight roads were being improved and transport hubs upgraded. “The CQ Inland Port was developed with funding by the Morrison-McCormack Government, with $2.9 million in upgrades to enhance connectivity through an intermodal freight terminal.
“Programs such as ROSI are about improving freight productivity, connecting agricultural and mining regions to ports, airports and other transport hubs and communities to services.
“Strategic investments on ROSI corridors are delivering works such as road sealing, flood immunity, strengthening and widening, and other projects like the Biloela Heavy Vehicle Bypass,” he said.
Mayor of the Central Highlands, Cr Kerry Hayes added, “Local government feels very confident when we get this level of engagement and on the ground service.
“We are very fortunate that Minister Buchholz is indeed a local and is determined that valuable supply chains across the state are strengthened and constructed.
“Roads like Springsure-Tambo have benefitted from the Roads of Strategic Importance initiative and improvements will make a huge difference to our communities and our key industries.”
Buchholz said he looked forward to continuing to work with local mayors and stakeholders in Central Queensland as ROSI projects on the Townsville to Roma and Mount Isa to Rockhampton corridors are finalised.